How do you handle conflict resolution within a team setting to ensure project success?

This question assesses your ability to handle disagreements within a team and facilitate a positive outcome ensuring the success of a project. It is crucial to show that you can maintain team cohesion and drive projects to successful completion in the face of conflicts. Key points to address include: Methods of conflict resolution you prefer, examples of past conflict situations, and how you ensured these did not derail project goals.

Situation: Early in my career as a project manager, I faced a conflict where two team members disagreed on the technical approach for a project. Action: I facilitated a meeting where each could present their ideas, followed by a Q&A. This helped the team understand the pros and cons of each approach, fostering a collaborative environment. Result: The team agreed on a hybrid approach which incorporated both ideas and the project was completed ahead of schedule. This experience taught me the value of mediation and open communication.

Situation: In a previous project, there was a conflict due to miscommunication about role responsibilities which led to overlapping work. Action: I arranged a clarification session where roles and tasks were clearly redefined. I also introduced weekly check-ins to ensure open dialogue and address any ambiguities. Result: This not only resolved the conflict but also enhanced the team's productivity and cohesion. Regular communication and clear role definitions were key takeaways for me.